Woman killed while walking along highway

A woman was killed walking along U.S. 117 Tuesday night a few miles north of Mount Olive.

According to a state Highway Patrol report, Samantha Williams, 22, of Dudley, was struck by a vehicle and killed at 10:16 p.m., about 3 miles outside of the town of Mount Olive.

The driver of the vehicle, 39-year-old Jean Shelby of Dudley, was not cited for any infractions.

"It doesn't appear that any charges have been filed," said Trooper Justin Creech, who provided the report.

According to the report, the weather was clear at the time of the accident and conditions were dry.

Poor roadside lighting may have been a factor in the accident.

Shelby was traveling toward Mount Olive at the posted speed limit of 55 mph when her car struck Ms. Williams, who was walking on the roadway, according to the report.

The report also indicated that Ms. Williams had been drinking.

Shelby was not believed by investigators to be intoxicated or otherwise impaired and no tests were ordered.

A Mount Olive police officer returning from the Wayne County Jail and headed back to Mount Olive from Goldsboro happened upon the scene and stayed until troopers with the Highway Patrol arrived to take over the investigation.